Montana Tech hits 10 triples, tops Lethbridge 79-73

LUKE SHELTON 406mtsports.com

Montana Tech's Kaylynn Coverdell goes up for a layup against Lethbridge's Amy Mazutinec during the first half of the Orediggers' 79-73 win at the HPER Complex on Friday. Coverdell led the game with seven assists.

LUKE SHELTON 406mtsports.com

Montana Tech's Hannah Sparks attempts a shot while being pressured by Lethbridge defenders during the first half on Friday at the HPER Complex.

A welcome tune-up following a lengthy break and with conference play looming.

Led by a 15-point performance from junior Sammy McGree — including three second-half triples — the Orediggers overcame a five-point first half deficit and unleashed a slew of second-half 3-pointers to top the University of Lethbridge 79-73 on Friday afternoon at the HPER Complex.

The Orediggers overcame spells of cold shooting and turnovers in the first half, responding with eight second-half triples and turning the ball over only four times after halftime.

The win follows Tech's 68-67 last-gasp victory in Helena on Thursday over the University of Calgary in which Kaylynn Coverdell put the Orediggers over the top with a decisive 3-pointer with four seconds remaining. She led Friday's game with seven assists.

"These were two good wins for us because, going into conference play, the league is going to be a nightmare," said Tech coach Carly Sanon. "Every game is going to be close and you never know who is going to win. To battle like we did is a good place to be at."

Tech will carry a 10-4 record into the Frontier fray beginning with a home game against MSU-Northern (8-4) on Thursday. Lethbridge (10-3) takes on Carroll College on Saturday.

The consecutive wins were the Orediggers' first action in over three weeks and their first back-to-back victories since reeling off five-straight wins in early November.

Sanon felt having two opportunities to settle back into a rhythm was critical.

“We hadn’t played since December 2 and we had two practices before yesterday’s game," said Sanon. "It was good, with quality teams coming in, to get the rust off and look at some film and some things that we need to improve."